Life and Death and My Next Breath

 Ajuga
Amanda's 30th is today, May 19, 2026
Behind The Scenes with Jeremy Renner on the Making Of Love and Titanium (Full) here
Casting Crowns' "Praise You In This Storm" listen here and Chicago's "Wishing You Were Here" listen here
Demons by Kenny Chesney listen here 🎶 
"Every choice you make has power. You are moving towards your values, desires, and goals." p. 147 Dear Friend I really needed to read those words this morning 🙏21 May 2026
"Feels Like" by Gracie Abrams listen here
Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow." ~ Melody Beattie 
"Hold On To The Light" by Jack Johnson & Hermanos Gutiérrez listen here
"I place on the altar of dawn / The quiet loyalty of breath / The tent of thought where I shelter / Waves of desire I am shore to / And all beauty drawn to the eye. / May my mind come alive today / To the invisible geography / That invites me to new frontiers / To break the dead shell of yesterdays / To risk being disturbed and changed. / May I have the courage today /  To live the life that I would love / To postpone my dream no longer / But do at last what I came here for / And waste my heart on fear no more." ~ Excerpt from 'A Morning Offering' from To Bless the Space Between Us by John O'Donohue
 Dawn, 9 May 2026
Josie, our love  


"Knowledge defeated anxiety every time." p. 42 My Next Breath by Jeremy Renner 
Lilac and bright blue skies
 18 May 2026
My Next Breath: A Memoir by Jeremy Renner
Noah Kahan, Hozier - Northern Attitude, Stick Season, and Homesick :)
"Our lives are frittered away by lack of focus." ~ Sarah BanBreathnach Simply Abundance May 18 essay
Prince of Tides movie revisited 33 years later. Even more Powerful in different ways with new eyes and Perspective.
"Quest to find tge most fundamental thing to life: my next breath." p. 34 My Next Breath by Jeremy Renner 
"Redemption Song" by Bob Marley & The Wailers listen here
"Stick Season" by Noah Kahan  listen here
"Tell Your Heart To Beat Again (Live)" by Danny Gokey LISTEN here
Urgency to get everything "done" at work is already dissipating
Vital tasks without which who knows what would have happened... Vast waves of pain... an unruly ocean." p. 49
"Wait" by Jeremy Renner listen here 
an eXtra "Y"
"You are the ocean and I am the earth..." ~ "Wait" by Jeremy Renner listen 🎶 here
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May 1-13, 2026 Life will Never be the Same

"Adventuring into an odd new place..." ~ Jimmy Fallon
Brothers: Collective Divinity of Love ❤️ 
"Cracklin' Rosie" by Neil Diamond
"Dust In The Wind" by Kansas listen here
"Eden is that old-fashioned House we dwell in Every day." ~ Emily Dickinson
Flower Moon
 Source: LB's FB page
Glow
 Source: Brian's FB page
 "It’s a wonder I haven’t abandoned all my ideals, they seem so absurd and impractical. Yet I cling to them because I still believe, in spite of everything, that people are truly good at heart." ~ Anne Frank, July 15, 1944
Jodi Picoult's By Any Other Name invites us to ask: Who really wrote Shakespeare's plays?
 full album here
Kenny Chesney's "The Life" listen here
 source
Misquamicut with Mom
Nicholas Joseph Law and his Mom, Christine Marciano Law, September 2014, Napatree 
Obituary  💔 here
Placed a hold on Theo of Golden: a novel by Allen Levi
"Quixotic pursuitof bookseller." p. 23 Time Was Soft There by Jeremy Mercer
Reprioritize everything
 "Stories are told; friendships are born..."abut Theo of Golden: a novel by 
Tim McGraw - Humble And Kind (Official Music Video)
Unbelieveable tragedy 😢 💔 
Video of May 1 Misquamicut 
"Welcome to Wherever You Are" ~ The West Wing Season 7 Episode 15
XOXOXOXO 
"Your ability to discern what is and isn't for you... will allow you to create space for all the good to come." ~ Dear Friend by Michelle Maros p. 139
Zwain, Hana. We all love you so much xo
1 comment:

End of April 2026

 "Awareness is always the first step toward change..." p. 118 Dear Friend by Michelle Maros
Barefoot on the Beach 
Countenance: mental Composure
 
Dave Mason May 10, 1946 - Apr 19, 2026
 started but...
Feelings kinda sluggish so... out into the cool sunshine to recharge

Garlic mustard as a Medicinal Plant: Tips for Foraging & Use click here
"How the Body from spirit does slowly unwind / Until we are pure spirit at the end" ~ Theodore Roethke
"Intuition is a spiritual faculty, and does not explain,  but simply points the way." ~ Florence Scovel Shinn
"Just a Song Before I Go" by Crosby, Stills, and Nash: listen here
Kris is writing a book! click here for her announcement of This Human Life 
Lemon Loaf recipe was excellent 👌 
Mediate presence as opposed to immediate: the presences in landscape are Mediate; they are often silent and indirect" p.52 Eternal Echoes by John O'Donohue 
Neil Diamond's "I Am... I Said" listen here
"One World One Life" t-shirt Kris Claire PhD was wearing in this video 
"Quiet Your Mind" 
"Remember your power of choice"
Start to choose what takes space in your brain p. 118 Dear Friend, April 23
 too cute not to include 
"Tell the Truth" by The Avett Brothers listen here
"Understand Your Impact" Dear Friend, April 27, p. 122
Verve: "Bitter Sweet Symphony" 
 "Why not me? Feed yourself positivity." Check out Paul Avellino's Instagram here
1 comment:

April 7 thru April 18, 2026

"As the density of night gives way to the bright song of the dawn, so your soul continually coaxes you to give way to the light and awaken." p. 49 Eternal Echoes by John O'Donohue 
"Bloom" by Paper Kites listen here
"Clear Communication Connects us." p. 108
Dear Friend by Michelle Maros 
"Early Morning Breeze" by Dolly Parton listen here 
"Free by Florence + the Machine" listen here
"Get Together" by The Youngbloods listen here
"Hey Tomorrow" by Jim Croce listen here
source 
"Into the journey of each person there is the occasional Intrusion of the stranger." p. 48 Eternal Echoes by John O'Donohue 
"Just a quiet day with both of us relaxing at home." ~ LB 11:12 am 4/12/26
"Katy Nichole's "Hold On" Music and lyrics here
"Longing is the voice of your soul." p. 49 Eternal Echoes by John O'Donohue 
"Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology) by Marvin Gaye listen here
"Neither One Of Us (Wants To Be The First To Say Goodbye)" by Gladys Knight & The Pips listen here
"Protect your Peace and Preserve your energy letting go of the need to know why." p. 107 Dear Friend by Michelle Maros and Providence refers to the Protective care of God or nature as a spiritual guide, or general foresight and Prudent management of resources. 
Quince blooming on Harris Fuller Rd, Norwich, CT
"Release The Why" April 12 Dear Friend p. 107
"Soak Up The Sun" by Sheryl Crow
"Time matters" ~ Talmidge Cregg, West Wing Season 4 Episode 13 "The Long Goodbye"
"Unfathomable miracle of being." p. 49 Eternal Echoes by John O'Donohue 
Virginia, Summer 1993 Unity Renaissance Chesapeake, VA 
 
"Who Knew" by P!nk listen here
eXpress yourself in every area of your life from a place of clarity and truth" April 13 Dear Friend p.108
"Younger You" by Miley Cyrus listen here
Zac Brown Band "Pirates & Poets" listen here
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April 1, New Chapter

April 1, 2026 made the calls and logged into SSA to start the ball rolling
"Bloom" by The Paper Kites listen and watch video here
Chapter #? Is right around the Corner
Day 1 of Dear Friend by Michelle Maros was, of course, "New Beginnings"
"Emotional monitoring: feeling the need to control and manage moods of people around [me] to maintain peace and avoid conflict. " p. 92 Dear Friend by Michelle Maros
Fermentation and change will influence so much of your later life" p. 33 Eternal Echoes by John O'Donohue
Good faith--without excessive anxiety or self-rebuke. p. 32 Eternal Echoes by John O'Donohue 
Happy Easter
"It's great to Jump and just...
....Jump and just not think
Kahlil Gibran says, "Your children are not your children.  They are the son and daughters of...
Life's Longing for itself." p. 39 Eternal Echoes by John O'Donohue
Now reading An Animated Alphabet by Marie Angel
Opalescent Nudibranch a type of brightly colored marine sea slug found along the Pacific coast of North Americathank you Shelby 😊 
Peaceful Mind, Peaceful Life
source
Quiet Easter Sunday reading An Animated Alphabet by Marie Angel
"Release your self from this Role and Regain your peace" p.92 Dear Me 🩷 
 "Strong foundation -- your core, your values, your special sense of you." p. 100 Dear Me: Daily 🩷 Notes for Complation, Connection,  and Clarity by Michelle Maro
"Thought is a permanent wanderer... The soul and the spirit are wanderers; Their places are dedicated to the discovery what is..
"Unknown and strange." p. 47 Eternal Echoes by John O'Donohue
Very Well Mind source ...
 "When Emotional Monitoring Becomes Toxic... it harms your partner, your relationship, and more importantly, yourself" by Sanjana Gupta
"eXperience a lasting sense of belonging... find it in yourself." p. 101 Dear Friend by Michelle Maros
"You have to find the zeal in yourself and bring that out." ~ Joseph Campbell
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March 21 Spring! Birthday 🎂 Celebrating

A festive table
Bright Blue "Happy Birthday" garland
Celebrating all weekend
Dexter's Smoothie Coffee Vault
Enjoyed our Entire day together :)
"Focus on what lures you today and may in the Future... imagine the next great time in your life..." p.32  ~ 12 Ways to Retire on Less: Planning an Affordable Future by Harriet Edleson
Happy Birthday Logan xo
John Denver's "Looking for Space"
Kenny Chesney's "French Kissing Life"
Leanna Crawford's "Truth I'm Standing On"
Mom :) 22 March 2026
New shirt, scents, and seeds :
Olde Mistick Village was mobbed! We'll do that another day. Way too "peoply"
Pluralism accepting more than one idea
Quiet, Rainy, Sunday afternoon

 Birthday dinner
Unique dessert for Birthday weekend
Vada's Vanilla Buns from this cool cookbook Logan found
 

 

eXcellent melding of book, Broadway musical, ridiculousness of everything, love and friendship
Yantic Plaza shopping: Small Potatoes and G's Country Barn


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Songs from the way back machine are sooth my soul

Amy Grant "The Me That Remains" listen and watch here
"Bye-Bye" by Jo Dee Messina listen and watch here
"Changes" by David Bowie listen here
Don Williams' "You're My Best Friend" listen and watch here
England Dan & John Ford Coley's "Nights Are Forever Without You"
 "Fight Song" by Rachel Patten 2015 listen here
 source
"Gone, Gone, Gone" by Phillip Phillips listen and watch here
"Have You Ever Seen the Rain" by Creedence Clearwater Revival
"I Don't Wanna Cry" by Mariah Carey
"Just doesn't matter, it Just doesn't matter, it Just doesn't matter..." ~ Meatballs 1979 check it out here
Kelly Clarkson's "Breakaway" still so fitting today 15 March 26
"Look After You" by The Fray listen here
Me on West Broad Street School steps 1971 :)
 source Historic Stonington
"Noise / Livin' rent free in my head / Heaven finds me in a still small voice / And it sounds like grace instead. You remind me who I am / When I look in the mirror and I'm not so sure / Lord, I don't wanna listen to the lies anymore... I don't belong to the lies I belong to you / And that's the Truth" lyrics of "Truth" by Megan Woods here
“One can never change the past, only the hold it has on you, and while nothing in your life is reversible, you can reverse it nevertheless.” ~ Merle Shain
P!nk's "Trustfall" listen and watch here 
 "Quality of Life: Part Two" The Big C S4:E2 "I get to quit. You don't." ❤️ listen to the music that was playing here
"Reason To Believe" by Rod Stewart listen here
"Strong Enough to Bend" by Tanya Tucker 1988 listen here
"Truth" by Megan Woods here 
"Used to know who I was / Now I look in the mirror and I'm not so sure / Lord, I don't wanna listen to the lies anymore." Megan Woods' "Truth" lyrics here
 Vanessa Colton's "A Thousand Miles" 
1972
"eXperiencing what I want for the story of my life! ~ Dear Friend 17 March
"Your Song" by Elton John came out in 1971. For me, forever "our song" 1977 Kevin Higgins
Zac Brown Band's "Butterfly" featuring Dolly Parton listen here 
2 comments:

Processing Emotions - again...

Against The Wind (Live) by Noah Cyrus listen here on SirusXM Coffee House 1 Mar 26
"Believe in your ability to fortify yourself today, despite what the world puts in your path." p. 67 March 4 Dear Friend
"Confidence us crafted over time, through personal connectionand practiced resilience." p. 67 March 4 Dear Friend 
Don't Let The Bastards (Get You Down)
Eternal Echoes by John O'Donohue is the perfect book for me to pick up again today. 8 March 2026
Florence + the Machine "Shake It Out"
Giver / Taker by Kacey Musgraves
"Happiness isn't dependent on your circumstances; It's a product of your relationship with yourself. It's the result of self-love and self-respect cultivated over time. It builds from a steady practice of contentment as you train yourself to look for the magic all around you, trusting it's always there." p. 65 Dear Friend
"I'm finally movingc changing my direction.  The Idea of it makes me feel Indestructible." p. 210
Justin Moore ft. Dierks Bentley listen here. Thank you, Christine M. Law
 lyrics 
"Knee-jerk reactions and impulses, letting myself say [and do] whatever comes to mind..." p. 70 March 7 Dear Friend 
"Life will throw curveballs in your path, but if you stay open and curious,  those curveballs can become gateways to a new level of awareness and knowledge. " p. 67 March 4 Dear Friend 
"Make peace with who you are... " March 8, Simple Abundance 
Natasha Bedingfield "Today is Where Your Book Begins" March 6, 2026 page a day calendar listen, watch, and feel the song here 
"Ordinary moments that become extraordinary from a distance. " p. 145 Comfort & Joy by Kristin Hannah 
"Questioning everything, feeling assuredof nothing." p. 67 March 4 Dear Friend
"Release the relationships that harm your mental health..." p. 67 March 4 Dear Friend 
"Simplicity gains importance in our lives as we begin to make peace with ourselves...tge teal thing is finally ready to be revealed." ~ March 8 Simple Abundance 
"Take tiny steps toward your goals and dreams... follow through... Trust in yourself..." p. 67 March 4 Dear Friend
"Uneven steps, tender turns, and wild-hearted wonderings." ~ Helen Hallows' An invitation to be brave and vulnerable Mar 2
Video by Pam Zagarenski see "Z"
"We're All Alone" by Boz Scaggs Sunday, March 1 2026
"eXistenial question: who are you? p. 66 March 3 Dear Friend
source
"You step into the Road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to." J. R. Tolkien qtd. Part One Comfort & Joy by Kristin Hannah 
 source


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